Planning a workation or business trip in Ashgabat? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in Turkmenistan, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Ashgabat
Telephone code
+993
Official language
Turkmen
Currency
Turkmenistan Manat (TMT)
Time zone
UTC+5
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security system of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security contributions accordingly. Turkmenistan has limited bilateral social security agreements with select countries (Turkey, Kazakhstan).
To ensure your employees remain compliant with existing agreements, they must possess a valid Certificate of Coverage (CoC) obtained from the relevant local authorities where applicable. Discover our solution for efficient social security risk mitigation here.
Tax compliance
Turkmenistan has signed bilateral tax treaties with various countries to prevent double taxation and encourage foreign investment, such as Japan, United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, UAE, Uzbekistan, Georgia. However, comprehensive publicly accessible information about all existing treaties may be limited. Despite the existence of tax treaties, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in Turkmenistan, whether for a workation or a business trip. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in the destination country, the employer may be required to register the company locally, allocate profits to the local business (branch), and file corporate taxes, leading to substantial administrative burdens.
To avoid this scenario, here are some key strategies:
If your employees are traveling for a workation, they should refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during the trip, as these activities could create binding authority that triggers PE status. Additionally, they should avoid visiting clients or any office, including the employer's local office in the destination country. Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risk for the employer related to permanent establishment.
If your employees travel for business, it may be impossible to refrain from the activities above. In this case, please make sure to document the temporary and specific nature of activities, ensure visiting employees do not habitually exercise contracting authority, and limit frequency and duration of presence in the destination country. Additionally, inform your (tax) compliance department of this matter, as PE risk assessment requires evaluation on a trip- and employee profile-specific basis considering factors such as employee seniority, role, authority, and duration of activities. If you and your organization are a WorkFlex user, this topic is covered through the WorkFlex platform.
Overriding local employment provisions
Employees traveling to Turkmenistan are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards, working time regulations, basic employment provisions, health and safety standards.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to Turkmenistan, here's a quick overview:
- Digital Nomad Visa: Turkmenistan does not currently offer a digital nomad visa program.
- Visa Before Entry: Requires invitation from private or official entity in Turkmenistan, obtained through Turkmen diplomatic missions
- Visa on Arrival: Available only with pre-approved visa authorization (Cakylyk - Invitation) from Turkmenistan Migration Service
- Transit Visa: Available for stays up to 5 days, can be obtained directly at diplomatic missions
- E-Visa: Not available
- Visa-Free Entry: Not available
Need trip-specific visa information? Reach out to WorkFlex Visa Services
For those planning business trips to Turkmenistan:
- Visa Before Entry: Requires official invitation from Turkmen entity
- Visa on Arrival: Only with pre-approval from Migration Service
- Transit Visa: For short stays up to 5 days
- E-Visa: Not available
- Visa-Free Entry: Not available
Need trip-specific visa information? Reach out to WorkFlex Visa Services
Working hours
Most employees in Turkmenistan work from Monday to Friday, with a standard workweek consisting of 40 hours. The workday is typically running from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a lunch break of 1 hour in between. Some organizations in Ashgabat may have Saturday morning work.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
Get information about specific public holiday dates for this year here.
- January 1: New Year's Day
- March 8: International Women's Day
- March 21-22: Nowruz (Persian New Year)
- May 18: Constitution Day
- May (Date varies): Kurban Bayramy
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveller, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
Turkmenistan has implemented the Law of Turkmenistan No.519-V "On Information about Private Life and its Protection" enacted on March 20, 2017 and entered into force on July 1, 2017. While the Data Protection Law partly reflects principles from the GDPR, it implements a simplified approach with fewer similarities to EU standards. Its level of regulation and enforcement is characterized as developing. Learn more about it here.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Local emergency phone
03 (Fire), 02 (Police), 01 (Ambulance)
Vaccination
Guidelines
Drinking potable water
Not advisable - bottled water recommended
Travel health insurance
When traveling to Turkmenistan for work - whether for a short business trip or an extended workation - it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. WorkFlex takes care of travel health insurance for trips worldwide to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travellers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travellers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Security information
Domestic political situation
The domestic political situation in Turkmenistan is calm. However, internet connections are extremely slow (max. 6.9 Mbit/s) and subject to government restrictions. Research your trip thoroughly before departure. Follow the instructions of local security forces.
Crime
Although the overall crime rate in Turkmenistan is generally low, petty crime such as pickpocketing can occur in busier areas and after dark.
In border regions, particularly near Afghanistan and Iran, smuggling activity may be present. Note that travel to Afghanistan and Iran is subject to active travel warnings.
To help ensure your safety, please consider the following tips:
- Avoid staying in the immediate border areas with Afghanistan and Iran, and refer to the respective travel warnings.
- Exercise the usual caution against petty crime, especially in crowded areas and at night.
- Use only official white or yellow taxis, and avoid sharing them with strangers.
- Keep money, ID, your driver's license, and other important documents stored securely. Where possible, keep electronic copies or photos of key documents — this can significantly speed up the replacement process in case of theft or loss.
Natural hazards & climate
Turkmenistan is located in a seismically active zone, meaning earthquakes can occur. The country has a continental climate with extremely hot summers and cold winters, which can make travel more challenging.
- Always observe local prohibitions, signs, warnings, and instructions from local authorities.
- Familiarize yourself with earthquake safety guidelines before your trip.
Infrastructure & transport
Road travel in Turkmenistan comes with elevated risks due to poor driving discipline, aging vehicles, substandard road conditions outside major cities, and limited signage on rural and intercity routes. Overland travel after dark is particularly hazardous.
- Drive defensively and exercise extra caution on the road.
- Avoid overland travel after dark.
- Desert tours should always be undertaken with an experienced local guide and in groups — never alone. Bring sufficient water, food, fuel, and spare parts.
- An international driving license is required and only valid alongside your national license.
- Note that the international "green" insurance card is not valid — drivers must purchase liability insurance at the border.
Money & payments
The official currency is the Turkmenian Manat (TMT). Credit card acceptance is very limited — Visa and Mastercard are accepted at a small number of hotels in the capital Ashgabat, but not in the provinces. ATM availability is limited and not guaranteed.
- Always carry sufficient cash, preferably in USD.
- Exchange USD to TMT only at official bank branches or Ashgabat airport, and only as much as you expect to need — converting TMT back to USD or EUR is not possible.
- Use only authorized exchange points. Illegal currency exchange is a criminal offense and can result in heavy fines or even imprisonment.
Legal particularities
Several important legal restrictions apply to visitors in Turkmenistan that differ significantly from Western norms.
- Photography of public institutions and government buildings is prohibited. Memory cards may be wiped or equipment confiscated.
- Smoking in public is prohibited.
- VPN usage is prohibited.
- Exporting Turkmenian carpets or paintings without an official permit is prohibited.
- Unmarried couples sharing a room may be treated as engaging in prostitution under local law, potentially leading to fines, detention, or deportation. Proof of marital status may be requested during accommodation inspections.
Ashgabat and Central Desert
- Summer temperatures: 35°C to 45°C (95°F to 113°F)
- Winter temperatures: 0°C to 10°C (32°F to 50°F)
- Extreme desert climate
- Very low humidity and minimal rainfall
- Large day-night temperature variations
- Best travel season: March-May and September-November
Karakum Desert (Most of country)
- Summer temperatures can exceed 50°C (122°F)
- Winter temperatures: -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F)
- One of the world's driest deserts
- Sandstorms common
- Extremely arid conditions
Caspian Coastal Region
- Summer temperatures: 30°C to 40°C (86°F to 104°F)
- Winter temperatures: 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F)
- More moderate temperatures
- Higher humidity near the coast
- Slightly more rainfall than interior
Airports
Ashgabat International Airport (ASB)
- Location: Ashgabat
- When to use: Main international hub, primary entry point
- Modern terminal facilities
Turkmenabat Airport (CRZ)
- Location: Turkmenabat
- When to use: Eastern Turkmenistan access, limited domestic flights
Train stations
Ashgabat Railway Station
- Main connections to Mary, Turkmenabat, and other cities
- International connections to Iran and Kazakhstan
- Modern facilities
- Air-conditioned trains on main routes
Rail network
- Ashgabat-Turkmenabat line
- Ashgabat-Mary line
- International routes to neighboring countries
- Domestic services between major cities
Ride-hailing services
- Limited ride-hailing services
- Official taxis available
- Hotel-arranged transportation recommended
Public transportation
Ashgabat transport
- Public bus system
- Trolleybuses
- Official taxis (green and yellow)
- Metro system (limited but modern)
Inter-city services
- Domestic flights
- Train services between major cities
- Long-distance buses
- Private car hire with driver